Psalm 51

Some years ago while playing a round of golf at Buffalo Hill in Kalispell, my foursome came to a hole that is a short par 3. The Whitefish River flowed in an arc from behind and beside the hole, from the green to the tee box. Stately cottonwood trees protected the back edge and both sides of the green. I carefully lined up a shot and was rewarded with the crisp sound of a well struck ball. I watched the flight of the ball rise higher and higher and then start its sharp descent. Beyond the trees, well beyond the trees. We finally heard the ball splash down midstream in the river. It was my best hit 9 iron. Ever.

There was silence for a moment and then I said the only thing that couple be said, “Mulligan.” In a friendly round of golf among friends, it is typical to allow each person a do over, a second chance to make good after an errant shot.

Psalm 51 is all about God being willing to grant us a do over and his readiness to do so over and over again. In truth, his offer is for far more than a do over. It is for a make-over, a complete renewal. Using the golf analogy, God is not offering us just a second shot but all new clothes, new shoes, new clubs, a shiny new ball and a set a lessons from the best instructor in, and out, of the universe.

Imagine now how his promise really works for us. Our transgressions will be totally forgiven and we will be given the opportunity to make a fresh start not because we deserve it but because we don’t and he loves us enough to forgive us. No matter what. No matter how often. He will create in us a new heart.

This Psalm is the most well-known of the seven penitential Psalms and is considered to be the most powerful. It is first Psalm prayed in Morning Prayer every Friday morning and I eagerly look forward to praying it every week. The poetry, the imagery, the ancient appeal for relief from a timeless battle with ourselves all come together to offer hope of a better life.

“Lord, open my lips and my mouth will sing your praise.”

Let’s repeat it together 3 times as is done at the beginning of the invitatory before the first hour of the morning.